The Aldean Chronicles: Spotlight (Part 2)
Chapter 20

Unsurprisingly, the next few weeks don't go well.

I feel myself getting angrier every day. I try to calm myself down but the events of the past few weeks keep coming to mind.

My fight with Tristan. Burning Collette and having my family buy her silence. My fight with Sara and the end of our friend group. Arin coming to Brimstone, and going out of his way to avoid me

Everything feels too much to handle.

"Good morning, dear friends." Our fire professor sings. She's floating around the class, going over today's lesson.

She stops at my desk and asks if I'm alright.

"I'm great." My voice fails me and my tone comes out hostile.

She smiles sympathetically. "Your energy is really strong right now."

"Is it?" I seethe.

She holds my gaze for an uncomfortable minute. "You know what the worst emotion is for a fire elemental?"

I can't help but roll my eyes. "Enlighten me."

"It's anger." She reveals. "Fire elementals can't let their anger control their magic. You know what happens then?" She doesn't wait for an answer. Her voice is ominous when she says, "they lose control. And people get very hurt."

I'm unable to speak.

She increases her voice. "Perfect work, Miss Harrington." And joins a struggling student.

I look over at Derek on my right. His face is contorted and his shoulders tense.

I want to apologize for yelling at him before class started. He kept asking me why I wasn't going to Blue Rose meetings and I snapped at him. It was rude and completely uncalled for. And I should apologize. But I don't.

My guilt begins to manifest itself and I can no longer breathe.

I messed things up with Sara. And now we're no longer friends or roommates. Doing that split up my friend group, the first good thing I had in this world.

Then I hurt Collette. And I couldn't even face her after I did it.

Then there's my argument with Tristan. All he does is encourage me and help me and I accused him of treating me like a child. I remember the look on his face a few weeks ago and choke back a sob.

And there's Arin.

I'll be lying if I said he's the only person doing the ignoring.

The tight feeling in my chest gets stronger and I start hyperventilating.

Before anyone can notice. I walk out of class.

I rush to the bathroom to let the tears out. But there aren't any. The only feeling present is despair. I can't even cry the feeling in my chest away.

I squeeze my fist and stifle my scream. I don't trust myself to be angry. My powers are too charged now.

The door to the bathroom opens and I look away.

"Hello, Cassandra." Cara offers a small smile.

I look back. "Professor Cara."

"You've run out of my class twice in three weeks. I thought I should check on you."

"I'm fine," I whisper.

She shakes her head. "I don't think you are." She walks closer to me. "Don't let your feelings control you or your magic." She places a reassuring arm on my shoulder.

I try to speak, but start crying instead.

She takes a step back and waits for me to finish.

About five minutes later, I stop and stare at my eyes in the mirror.

"I have to go back to class." Cara's soft voice says. "But if you need help, you can come to me. I know what it's like to not be in control of yourself."

I stare at her yellow, billowy dress and flower crown. "I can't imagine that."

She gives me a reassuring smile and walks away.

I wash my face and walk to my next class of the day.

***

The next few weeks are as miserable and isolating as before.

I sneak food out of the dining hall and either take it to the library or my dorm. I don't answer half my texts and I'm almost never in the halls.

I thought my friends and boyfriend would make a bigger effort to talk to me. I also thought Kat would reach out more. I had no hope for Grey.

But they all don't.

Seb called me a few days earlier. I was surprised he found the time. He's always so busy at the Capitol.

"Is something wrong?" He asked.

I forced a smile even though he couldn't see me. "I'm good."

He sighed. "Cassie, I know I've been busy. And I'm trying to..." A faint voice called for his attention. He sighed again. "I'm so sorry, it's your uncle. He's in the Capitol for the week. We're going over defensive strategies for the country."

"Sure," I whispered. "Say hi to uncle Max for me." And I cut the call.

I stare at my call log now. I should call Seb back. Tell him I miss him and would feel a lot better if we talked.

I'd tell him about my powers. I'd tell him about Tristan. I'd tell him about Sara. And he'd listen. And he'd give good advice.

I dial his number. He doesn't pick up.